Drum provided with port assembly for gas monitoring

ABSTRACT

An improved drum is provided with a port assembly adapted to permit internal gas monitoring without necessitating the opening or unsealing of the drum. The drum includes a cup-shaped member having an open end sealingly mounted in an end closure or sidewall of the drum and a closed end extending into the drum interior. A passageway extends through the cup closed end into the cup interior. A plug of penetrable, self-sealing material is held in position in the cup covering the passageway. Means are provided to guide the needle of a test syringe through the plug and cup passageway into the drum interior.

United States Patent [1 1 Santoni FOR GAS MONITORING [4 1 Mar. 19, 1974 Primary Examiner--George T. Hall [75] Inventor: Cesar Santoni, Hamilton, Ontario, {momey Agent or FlrmnKane Dalslmer' Kane Canada livan and Kurucz [73] Assrgnee: Bros., Corporation, Delaware, [57] ABSTRACT I I An improved drum is provided with a port assembly [22] Filed" July 1972 adapted to permit internal gas monitoring without ne- {21} Appl. No.: 276,130 cessitating the opening or unsealing of the drum. The drum includes a cup-shaped member having an open end sealingly mounted in an end closure or sidewall of 220/ 2 2 13 the drum and a closed end extending into the drum 58] Fie'ld 220/24 R A DIG 1 interior. A passageway extends through the cup closed 220/27 end into the cup interior. A plug of penetrable, selfsealing material is held in position in the cup covering the passageway. Means are provided to guide the nee [56] References Cited dle of a test syringe through the plug and cup passage- UNITED STATES PATENTS way into the drum interior. 3.343.699 9/1967 Nicko 215/38 R 3,739.936' 6/1973 Jones 220/24 R 5 Clams 9 Drawlng Figures DRUM PROVIDED WITH PORT ASSEMBLY FOR GAS MONITORING The present invention relates to gas-tight drums and,

more particularly, to a gas-tight drum which is adapted to permit internal gas pressure monitoring without necessitating the opening of the drum. I

During the shipping and storage of various goods in containers or drums, gases are generated as a result of decomposition or other chemical reactions of the goods. It is often necessary to monitor the gases within the drum to detect potentially hazardous and dangerous situations. This is particularly true in connection with the shipment of certain chemicals and foodstuffs wherein the generation of gases is indicative of contamination or spoilage. Such commodities are often shipped in sealed containers which sometimes are pressurized with inert gases to prevent decomposition. It is obviously desirable to monitor the internal drum gases with a minimal amount of disturbance of the drum contents, especially where exposure of the contents of the drum to air may cause further decomposition and the drum is sealed to avoid exposing the drum s contents.

There are several commercially available devices which may be used under field conditions to readily detect the presence of various gases. One such device is the Beckman analyzer which is a hypodermic syringetype device adapted to receive a quantity of gas and break it down by percentage into its component gases. The syringe needle must be introduced into the drum interior and aquantity of gas withdrawn into the syringe barrel for analysis. It should be apparent that unless preventive steps are taken, the syringe puncture can provide a passageway for future contamination of the drum contents.

In view of the above, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide an improved drum designed for use with such gas analyzing equipment which permits gas samplings to be taken without exposing the contents of the drum to possible contamination.

A further object is to provide sucha drum which automatically vents itself if the internal gas pressure within the drum exceeds a predetermined limit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above and other beneficial objects and advantages are attained by providing an internal gas monitoring port assembly for use in a drum. The port assembly includes a cup-shaped member having a closed bottom end extending into the drum interior and an open top end sealingly secured to surfaces of the drum. A passageway extends through the cup closed bottom end communicating with the drum interior. A self-sealing, penetrable plug of material is positioned within the cup and is normally urged in position to seal the passageway. To this end, the port assembly further includes a washer positioned within the cup in constraining relationship with the plug urging the plug toward the passageway. The washer has an opening in aligned registry with the passageway to facilitate insertion of a hypodermic syringe-type gas analyzer by guiding the syringe needle into the drum interior.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational sectional view of an improved drum in accordance with the present invention provided with a gas monitoring port assembly;

FIG. 2 is a top elevational plan view of the drum of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary exploded view of one embodiment of the gas monitoring port assembly of the drum of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the assembled port assembly;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view taken along sectional lines 55 of FIG. 4 in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 6-is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing a gas testing hypodermic device in position within the port;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary exploded side elevational sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a gas monitoring port assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary top plan view of the assembled port of FIG. 7; and,

FIG. 9 is a side elevational sectional view taken along reference lines 99 of FIG. 8 in the direction indicated by the arrows.

DETAILEDDESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present invention is illustrated in the accompa nying drawings wherein similar components bear the same reference numerals throughout the several views. In accordance with the present invention, a drum 10 of conventional shape and construction is provided with a port assembly 12 designed to facilitate monitoring the internal gases within the drum. In this regard, the mate rial.l4 contained within the drum will normally settle to the bottom of the drum and gases l6 generated (or added to the drum for storage purposes) will rise on top of the material. Accordingly, the port assembly 12 is provided in top end closure 18 along with the drum opening 20. It should be understood, however, that, if required, port assembly 12 could just as easily have been provided in bottom closure 22 or in the drum sidewall 24.

As previously stated, the present gas monitoring system is designed for use with a hypodermic-type gas tester such as the Beckman analyzer shown schematically in FIG. 26. The analyzer serves to withdraw a quantity of gas from the interior of the drum and then break it down into percentages of component gases. Drum closures l8 and 22 are sealingly secured to the tubular sidewall 24 and accordingly, the present port assembly 12 serves to enable the analyzer to withdraw a sample of gas from the drum interior without ensuing air or gas leakage to or from the drum interior.

Referring to FIG. 3, it is noted that the port assembly 12 includes a cup-shaped member 28 having a closed bottom end 30 and open top end 32. Surfaces defining a passageway 34 extend through the closed bottom end. The cup 28 is formed with a circumferential shoulder 36 at its approximate midpoint.

The port assembly 12 further includes a plug 38 formed of a penetrable self-sealing material such as neoprene or other rubber-like compound. The material from which plug 38 is formed must be inert to the commodities shipped in container as well as any gases which may be generated and also must be puncturable. In addition, plug 38 must possess the ability to automatically reseal any puncture therein once the puncturing member (such as the tip of the Beckman tester syringe) is withdrawn. Plug 38 is generally disc-shaped and is proportioned to fill the entire lower portion of cup 28, that is, the portion below shoulder 36.

The system 12 further includes a washer 40. The diameter of washer 40 is slightly less than the diameter of the top portion of cup 28 so that the peripheral edge of the washer rests on shoulder 36. Washer 40 includes a central opening 42 positioned to align with cup passageway 34 when the washer rests on cup shoulder 36.

The assembled port assembly 12 is illustrated in FIG. 5. As shown and as previously described, plug 38 is positioned in cup 28 and substantially fills the entire lower portion. The plug is held in position constrained from moving by washer 40 which rests on cup shoulder 36. In this connection, the upper portion of the cup is rolled to define a lip 44 which holds the washer in position and also secures the assembly in position by engaging rolled lip 46 formed in the surfaces of closure 18 defining an opening to receive the port assembly 12. To this end, it is desirable that the portion of the container 10 adapted to receive port assembly 12 and cup 28 be formed of metal so that a tight seal may readily'be formed between the cup and surfaces defining the cup receiving opening.

In operation, samples of the gases within container 10 may be obtained by inserting the needle portion 48 of hypodermic tester 26 through the container port assembly 12. In this connection, the washer opening 42 cooperates to guide needle 48 through the passageway 34 in the bottom of cup 28 to the drum interior. As the tester needle is retracted, plug 38 reseals itself so that no leakage to or from the drum container occurs.

In some instances, it is known before hand, that gases will be generated within the container and, in addition to being able to monitor the gases, it is desirable to have the gas build-up relieved at predetermined pressure levels. Accordingly, in an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the gas monitoring system is provided with means for automatic venting. The port assembly alternate embodiment 50 is illustrated in FIGS. 7 through 9. As shown in FIG. 7, the alternate port assembly 50 includes a cup 52 similar in shape. to cup 28 of the primary embodiment. A passageway 54 extends through the bottom of cup 52 and, as will be noted, the surfaces of passageway 54 are chamfered to define a valve seat.

Port assembly 50 further includes a valve member 56 adapted to seal passageway 54. Valve member 56 includes a plug 58 of puncturable, self-sealing material supported on a spring steel tripod base 60.

The alternate port assembly 50 further includes a washer 62 having an opening 64. As with washer 40, washer 62 is designed to sit on a shoulder of the assembly cup and serves to constrain movement of the sealing member and thereby maintain the sealing member 56 over passageway 54.

The assembly of the alternate embodiment is identical to that of the primary embodiment as shown in FIG. 9. To this end, washer 62 serves to constrain sealing member 56 and maintain it normally seated over passageway 54. To this end, spring 60 serves to urge the valve member into tight sealing engagement with the valve seat in the bottom of cup 52 thereby normally blocking passageway 54. As with the primary embodiment, washer 62 is held in position by the rolled lip 66 defined in the upper end of cup 52. Lip 66 also cooperates with rolled surfaces 68 of the'drum end closure defining an opening in the drum for receiving the port assembly.

The resiliency of spring is determined by the pressures within drum 10 which must be maintained. When the pressure limit within the drum is exceeded, the force the gases exert on the valve member will overcome the force exerted by spring 60 and as a result, the valve member will be lifted off the valve seat thereby opening a venting path from the interior of the drum through passageway 54 and washer opening 64. When the pressure within the drum is below the predetermined limit, spring 60 maintains plug 58 seated over the passageway thereby ensuring a tight seal to prevent leakage to or from the drum interior. The sealing member is thus shiftable from a first position overlying and sealing said passageway to a second position spaced from the valve seat wherein at least a portion of the passageway is uncovered. When the sealing member is in the second position, pressure within the drum will automatically be relieved.

As with the primary embodiment of the present invention, monitoring of the drum interior may be performed with a hypodermic type gas tester in the manner previously described. To this end, it should be noted that sufficient clearance exists between the spring and plug to enable a hypodermic needle to penetrate the plug and enter the drum interior.

Thus, in accordance with the above, the aforementioned objects and advantages are attained. It should be understood that modifications may be made in the illustrated and described embodiments of the invention without departing from the invention as set forth in the accompanying claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed 1. In a drum of the type having sealed end closures and surfaces defining an opening into the drum interior, the improvement comprising a port assembly to fa cilitate gas monitoring within said drum, said assembly comprising: a cup-shaped member having a closed bottom end extending into said drum interior through said opening and an open top end secured to said drum surfaces;.a passageway extending through said cup bottom end; puncturable, self-sealing means seated in said cup over said passageway; and means normally urging said sealing means to seal said passageway.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said cup top end includes a peripheral lip secured in sealing engagement to said drum surfaces and said urging means includes a washer disposed between said plug and said lip in constraining relationship with said plug; said washer having an opening in aligned registry with said passageway.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein said plug comprises a self-sealing rubber-like material.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said sealing means are shiftable between a first position wherein said sealing means effectively seals said cup passageway and a second position wherein, at least, a portion of said passageway is uncovered.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 4 wherein said cup top end includes a peripheral lip secured in sealing engagement to said drum surfaces; said sealing means includes a plug of puncturable material overlysageway with a predetermined force; and said urging means comprises a washer fixed with respect to said cup and engaging said spring in constraining relationship, said washer having a central opening aligned with ing said passageway and a spring member coupled to 5 said cup passageway.

said plug, said spring biasing said plug toward said pas- 

1. In a drum of the type having sealed end closures and surfaces defining an opening into the drum interior, the improvement comprising a port assembly to facilitate gas monitoring within said drum, said assembly comprising: a cup-shaped member having a closed bottom end extending into said drum interior through said opening and an open top end secured to said drum surfaces; a passageway extending through said cup bottom end; puncturable, self-sealing means seated in said cup over said passageway; and means normally urging said sealing means to seal said passageway.
 2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said cup top end includes a peripheral lip secured in sealing engagement to said drum surfaces and said urging means includes a washer disposed between said plug and said lip in constraining relationship with said plug; said washer having an opening in aligned registry with said passageway.
 3. The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein said plug comprises a self-sealing rubber-like material.
 4. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said sealing means are shiftable between a first position wherein said sealing means effectively seals said cup passageway and a second position wherein, at least, a portion of said passageway is uncovered.
 5. The invention in accordance with claim 4 wherein said cup top end includes a peripheral lip secured in sealing engagement to said drum surfaces; said sealing means includes a plug of puncturable material overlying said passageway and a spring member coupled to said plug, said spring biasing said plug toward said passageway with a predetermined force; and said urging means comprises a washer fixed with respect to said cup and engaging said spring in constraining relationship, said washer having a central opening aligned with said cup passageway. 